California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles County as a massive warehouse fire in Boyle Heights continues to rage. The fire, which started on June 17, has been difficult to suppress due to the building's massive inventory of rotting food products and hazardous materials.
Newsom's emergency order will streamline the city's response by suspending public contracting rules and allowing for the rapid deployment of specialized equipment and supplies. The state is providing 5.5 million N95 respirator masks, commercial-grade air purifiers, and advanced air quality monitoring equipment to support local relief efforts.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is coordinating closely with state agencies, including the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), to mitigate the health hazards posed by the smoke. The fire has re-ignited and is billowing thick black smoke, prompting concerns about air quality and public health.
